(KCBS) – Many of us grew up reading the comic strip featuring the Peanuts gang in the newspaper and watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” every Halloween and Christmas.

Now, Peanuts fans everywhere will be delighted to hear a new special is coming up. “Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown” from Warner Home Video debuts March 29th and is the first one in more than five years.

The last TV special was “He’s a Bully, Charlie Brown” which was telecast on ABC in 2006, beating a Madonna concert special.

Craig Schulz (Photo credit: Koichiro Hayashi)

Craig Schulz, son of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, literally grew up with the Peanuts gang and continues his father’s legacy as the writer and executive producer of this Peanuts original.

“I think [the comic strip] resonates with people worldwide,” Schulz explained the timelessness of the Peanuts comic strips. “I think all of us can relate to some character at some level. And there’s a dramatic change between reading the comic strip as a child and seeing it again in your 20s or 30s, or as a parent. The same comic strip you laughed at as a child, you might cry at as an adult.”

CBS’ Connie C. Kim interviews Craig Schulz:

New Peanuts Special Launches At Schulz Museum In Santa Rosa

The new special, “Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown,” is about Linus, his blanket and insecurity. It’s based on Charles Schulz’s comic strips, and stays true to the original look of the strip, while still venturing into novel territory. Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo composed the score, and it was directed by animator Andy Beall (Up, Ratatouille) and Frank Molieri (The Simpsons Movie, SpongeBob SquarePants Movie).

The animated special will be launched with a gala fundraiser with Bravo TV’s Andy Cohen on Thursday, March 31st. The event is open to the public at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa but tickets are limited. All proceeds benefit the Museum’s Education Programs specifically for art instruction for underprivileged kids.